Monday, August 18, 2008

Writing Supplies: The Necessities

1. The Laptop. If, by any force of nature, you are able to possess, rent or steal a laptop, do so. Private desktops work pretty well, too, but laptops are better. You need a laptop in a quiet space that you can access at almost any given time, when inspiration or deadlines strike thee.

2. The Big Book. I used to not believe in the power of an Empty Book (Putting Your Passion into Print) or a writing notebook for jotting down ideas and notes. I do now. I suggest at least an 8 x 11 notebook, preferably with rings on the side so it's easy to tear out paper.

What do you write down here? Ideas, deadlines, notes, observations, practical and impractical things. Guys can carry it in a backpack, girls in a large purse.

3. Lots of pens, maybe pencils. I love pens. I really, really love pens and have to have lots of them all the time. They usually have logos of beauty salons and pharmaceuticals on them, because these are free.

Buy these things now before school hits and your brain is so swamped you've forgotten you love to write. And stay tuned for Writing Supplies Part Deux and an announcement of next week's giveaway.

1 comment:

Your blog is sincerely one of the most useful writing sites I've ever come across, Gabrielle. Every post seems to influence me somehow.

I love pens too - my favorite of the moment is this one pen of mine that says, "I once was a tire, but I retired as a pen", since it's made from recycled tire rubber. Now that's another way to go green. ;)

My big notebook goes everywhere with me - random ideas, To-Do lists, and story jots. How would I live without it?

This Week in Innovation

Innovative: A Word for the WriTeen

Welcome to Innovative, a website that can't decide whether it's a blog or an e-zine but enjoys the best of both worlds without ever quoting Miley Cyrus.

Innovative is here for those who think teenagers and writing make a smooth combination, and who enjoy book reviews. We primarily publish reviews through a writer's eye-- looking at writing style, characterization, originality and whether Gabrielle liked it or not.

Innovative publishes sporadic reviews and thoughts, mainly dependant on the schedule of Gabrielle's new collegiate life.

About Me

I'm the primary blogger of Innovative: A Word for the Teen. In the past, I've done everything from guest-blogging for New Moon to writing a column for KidMagWriters.com, and being published 40+ times in between. I write sporadic reviews of new books from a writer's perspective, and occasionally offer advice to teen writers when I'm not being a college freshman. Find out more about my success in Chicken Soup: Extraordinary Teens, now available in stores.

The Best Books of 2008

For Authors and Their Publicists

I love to help authors spread the word about their books, and am very happy to work with publicists to arrange giveaways, interviews and book reviews. I just have a few guidelines.

Fiction:I review mostly young adult. I am willing to look at upper middle grade and adult if relevant to a teen audience, but this is on a case-by-case basis.

Nonfiction:Nonfiction must have to relate to some form of writing or writing by teenagers. Writing guides, market guides, how-tos, memoirs about writing, etc., are the best bet. And if a teen or group of teens have written a book, I'm interested.